May 1, 2017

The Swing Set

Swing sets. Few things evoke such strong childhood memories in so many. I remember our swing set. It was on the side of our back yard. I remember many hours spent on that metal swing, going so high, the legs would come up out of the ground. I can still remember how it felt to lean back so my bare feet seemed to touch the clouds.

I knew when I became a mother, I wanted a swing set in my backyard. We moved into our home soon after Madison turned one, and the first thing I did was get a swing set. Not a fancy wooden one with three levels and a telephone. Just a regular metal one, like I had as a kid. That swing set did not disappoint. I spent hours upon hours pushing my Madison, first in a baby swing, then on her own big girl swing, and eventually watching as she and her friend Jeffrey played on the glider.

Peyton loved the swing. I remember pushing her over and over and over. We had a game we played. She would ask me what holiday was next. After I told her, she would say, "And then what, Mommy?" It went on until we got through the whole year. Rhett inherited the baby swing once he was old enough to join us. I look back now on those days as some of the happiest days of my life.

I was sad to leave that old metal swing set behind when we moved to a new house several years after we moved in. It held so many memories. So as soon as our new yard was ready, we put a new swing set in. Because we had three young children, we opted for a wooden one this time, with a fort and a slide as well. Our neighbors all had similar ones in their yards, and the kids spent many hours playing on the swings, riding bikes from yard to yard.

Hot summer afternoons. Cool autumn evenings. Sunny winter days. And dewy spring mornings. The swing set was a constant in our lives. As the years passed, the wooden swing sets slowly disappeared from our neighbors' yards. As kids grow, they sit empty. Then they are disassembled and disappear. I couldn't imagine taking ours down, even though the kids continued to grow. Fortunately, we were blessed with our sweet little Flynn, and the baby swing went back up again. And I began again. Pushing a little on a swing. Watching as she learns to swing herself. Watching my older kids swing with her, capturing moments of their childhoods once again.

Easter morning was one of the very first mornings it was nice enough to be outside. Flynn was the first one ready, and I was not surprised that she asked to swing. So swing she did. In her Easter dress and her brand new sandals. Dresses can be washed, sandals can be wiped. Moments like these pass so very quickly. Soon enough, those swings will be empty, moving only in the breeze. But not just yet.
















16 comments:

  1. I'm so happy we had a swingset when I was growing up! so many good memories :)

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  2. I'm right there with you... even in Ohio Jerry rebuilt the swing set for the girls and they would still swing and yes... me too ;-) I miss it and told him we need to built another here, lol. So many great memories from a swing set... Have a wonderful day!

    blessings,
    Jill

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  3. Such sweetness! Now if only she could be little forever to swing on that seat :)

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  4. I too have such sweet memories of my girls on our swing set, I now have the pleasure of Grandchildren. Sweet memories that last a lifetime.

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  5. I also loved my swing set as a child, and we had one in our back yard for our children for years. It truly makes good childhood memories. Hugs. Juli

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  6. A swing is a must for little ones and the memories are precious. Loved the pictures and story behind yours. Flynn loves it and her little flower!

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  7. I could cry at how wonderful this is.

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  8. What a wonderful poignant post, Billie Jo. I love those memories and oh--I remember swinging so high that the legs would lift off the ground and the scary thrill that caused...WHAT if it tipped over??? lol

    I love that you have Flynn to enjoy that swing still...and..if you hold on to it long enough you will have grandbabies to swing on there one day. xo Diana

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  9. I love Swings myself!!! I am a big kid on them. When I taught preschool all the kids loved it that I would swing with them. We sang many silly songs and had a blast. I still catch myself jumping on one. It really is freeing. Your daughter is a cutie.

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  10. What an endearing post, Billie Jo! I understand all too well of which you write. We still have the metal swing set that my children enjoyed. It now holds a wooden swinging love seat that Grayden and I enjoy. When the grands come, there is a single swing they still love as well. Flynn looks so sweet in her Easter clothes swinging! Have a great week. ♥

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  11. Oh the delights of swinging on a breezy spring day! Thank you for sharing your memories and pictures. They reminded me of when my children were younger and those simpler days! xo

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  12. How sweet. Love your memories. I think swing sets are well worth the money. We just "refurbished" our swing set and it's getting a lot of use.
    And I agree with Madison. Flynn IS adorable :)

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  13. Love your memories! Gosh..swing sets are such a wonderful investment. I still go out on occasion and swing with the boys, but not as high as I used too! ;)

    Flynn is just adorable! Fluffy pink dress and all! :)

    I hope you have a delightful week!

    Hugs, Amy

    PS...I made Ranger cookies the day of the snow storm. ;)

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  14. I remember the swing set I had as a kid and I remember the one we bought for our girls. Such precious memories!

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  15. She is so precious! And as you know, the moments are too. Love and hugs to you :)

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo